TWO

Treize couldn't remember where he was when he awoke. He has no memory of his location or his purpose for being there. He remembered that he was in the private room of a pub that he couldn't remember when he glanced up and spotted the whiskey bottle. The memories of the previous evening immediately came back to him when he realized that he was also wearing his boxers.

He was with a woman. He could remember every detail. how gentle her lips were. How whenever he kissed or touched her, she cried out in ecstasy.  Then he realized it was also the woman's first time. Where is she, though?

He searched with his eyes all around but couldn't find the woman. Did she leave as he slept? Even her name was unknown to him. Not even her phone number or address were left for him. Treize took out his phone and dialed his assistant's number.

Treize instructed his assistant, "Find me immediately. I don't know where I am. And I want you to find out who the female I was with last night. She left in the middle of the night wearing a black dress," he then hung up the call after giving his instructions   not giving his assistant the chance to ask him why and how.

I must find her. To himself, Treize said.

* * * * * * * *

When Maxine noticed that the man was falling asleep, she fled. Even though it was pouring rain, she went back to her parent's house and headed there. She had a lot of things on her mind as she was walking home. She had not even had sexual encounters with her ex-husband in three years, yet she immediately engaged in such behavior with a stranger. When she awoke, she abruptly left without even saying goodbye since she was instantly anxious.

Her mother cried out, "Maxine," and flung open the door to her room. She entered the room holding a ginger ale. She seemed to be aware of the fact that she drank last night and that it was morning when she arrived home.

 

"Thanks, Ma,"

"Maxine, do you think there's still a chance you and Scott will get back together?"

Her mother's question caught her off guard. Why does she want to know whether Scott and I can still get back together? For what reason?

"Why did you ask, Ma?" Maxine inquired to her mother.

"You're getting married next week, and I don't want your wedding to be disrupted because your ex-husband Scott is going to return," her mother explained.

"Why does it feel so quick, Ma? You told me only yesterday that I haven't even consented yet, but the wedding is next month?" Maxine questioned her mother Libby.

"Since you and Scott have already split up, your father and I decided that you should be the one to marry rather than sister, Laurine," Libby said, "Actually, your sister should be the one to marry the youngest child of the Delgados."

She repeatedly questioned his mother, saying things like, "What? Why me? Why does it have to be me? I thought Laurine should be the one marrying him, what happened? Why sudden change? Why does it have to be me? Mom!"

"Because your sister is still young, and the Delgados' youngest kid is also handicapped, and your sister knows nothing about being a wife, let alone caring for a crippled spouse, I decided it would be best for all of us if you became the Delgados' child's wife,"

"But, ma," she said.

"There are no more buts, Maxine; your father has planned and straightened out everything so that you can't say no; do you want to shame our family to the Delgados?"

Maxine was taken aback and perplexed when she heard this. Her mother couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe her parents could do such a thing to her. How is this possible? While Maxine was contemplating and still reeling from the shock of what her mother had said, her mother spoke out again and drew her attention.

"Maxine, your sister is about to marry a disabled person. She is too young to marry. She is only eighteen and she is getting married? Worse, to a disabled person? What does she know about marriage? Also, I don't want to ruin the family name. Just think about it, you are separated from your husband, then your sister will marry a disabled person? What will people say about us? That we are a bunch of crap?" her dramatic mother said.

"Are you willing to put your sister through that?  Do you not care about your sister? Can't you make an exception for her? Sacrifice yourself so she won't be be a failure?  " her mother added.

Maxine's hands trembled and her heart ached as she said, "Why me, Ma?  I am your child too! Why do I have to sacrifice for everyone's sake?  ”

"Laurine is your sister, can you put up with your younger sister? Can you understand that she will struggle? Can you sleep well at night while your sister is in that state? Maxine, I know you love your sister and don't want that to happen to her, so I didn't hesitate to choose you. You will only be physically married to the Delgados' youngest child because the name you will still use is Laurine's name."

She argued, "But what about me, Ma? I don't even know how to care for a disabled person."

"But you know how to be a housewife. You learned it quickly when you and Scott were married, it will be easier for you to learn how to take care of a disabled husband. Everything is settled. You don't have any other option but to marry him," her mother remarked, as she started to stand up and leave her room. 

Maxine experienced anguish once more. She sobbed uncontrollably, as though crying might somehow lessen and swallow her sorrow.